Drury Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Nov. 19, 2014 — Drury University has selected Mark Fisher to become its next Director of Athletics. Fisher will begin his duties at Drury on July 1, 2015. Fisher is currently the Director of Athletics for Springfield Public Schools, where he has been AD since 2003.

“We are delighted to bring Mark on board,” said Drury President Dr. David Manuel. “I like both the leadership and management qualities he brings to the table. He has a breadth of experience dealing with a wide array sports and administrations during his career. Mark has deep local and statewide connections at both the collegiate and high school levels, and a proven track record in fundraising and managing high-profile events.”

Mark Fisher

“I want to thank Dr. Manuel and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve at Drury University, where academics and athletics stand for excellence,” Fisher said. “Drury has a great group of coaches and I’m excited to be able to assist them in continuing the outstanding tradition of DU athletics, and helping student athletes fulfill their goals through their academic and athletic experiences.”

Fisher’s 12-year career with SPS includes success both on and off the field. In addition to overseeing all athletic activities for Missouri’s largest public school district, he also spearheaded a $3.5 million campaign for stadium improvements and implemented systems to continually evaluate the progress of student athletes and coaches. Fisher is the director of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, one of the highest profile high school basketball tournaments in the nation. A former Missouri Basketball Coach of the Year, he has mentored 18 former players or assistant coaches to careers as head basketball coaches.

Beginning Jan. 5, 2015, former DU athletic director Edsel Matthews will return to campus to serve as interim AD until Fisher’s full-time arrival in July. Scott Puryear, associate athletic director for marketing and communications, has served as the interim AD for the past five months.

“I want to thank Scott for his hard work in these dual roles during the past few months,” Dr. Manuel said. “We are thrilled that Edsel can step in and fill the gap next year so Scott can return to his AAD post and lay the promotional groundwork for our slate of home basketball games and, we hope, another deep postseason run by both teams.”

Matthews was Drury’s AD from 2002 to 2010, then served in an athletics fundraising role for two years before retiring in 2012. He will return to many familiar faces in the coaching ranks and across campus.

“I’m pleased to come back and help in any way that I can,” Matthews said. “I’m certainly thrilled that Mark Fisher will take over. He’s a great hire who will do a great job. I’ll work very closely with Mark in the interim and try to set the table as best I can for what he and the University want to accomplish.”

WHO: The Drury University NCAA Division II National Champion men’s basketball team, and men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams.

WHAT: A community parade and celebration to honor the championship teams. The swim teams won their titles on March 9 in Birmingham, Alabama. The basketball team won the national championship on April 7 in Atlanta, Georgia.

WHERE: Beginning at South and Elm, the parade will travel north on South Avenue to Park Central Square. From there, the parade will travel north on Boonville Avenue, turn east on Central Street, and then turn north on Drury Lane. The parade will culminate in the Findlay Student Center Fountain Circle.

WHY: Drury earned its ninth straight men’s swimming and diving title, and the men’s and women’s teams have won dual championships in four of the last five seasons. Overall, the men’s team has 11 championships, while the women have nine. The Drury Men’s Basketball Team won the school’s first ever NCAA Division II Basketball Championship with its win over Metropolitan State University of Denver. 30 days, 3 national championships, 1 university.

About Drury University

Drury offers bright, achieving students a commitment to personalized education and diversity. Students expect - and are expected - to explore great ideas and confront questions that will successfully prepare them for dynamic careers and enhanced lives as active global participants. A Drury education combines professional training with the liberal arts. More than 70 majors and academic programs are available.